Revelation 6:12

And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

And {G2532} I beheld {G1492} when {G3753} he had opened {G455} the sixth {G1623} seal {G4973}, and {G2532}, lo {G2400}, there was {G1096} a great {G3173} earthquake {G4578}; and {G2532} the sun {G2246} became {G1096} black {G3189} as {G5613} sackcloth {G4526} of hair {G5155}, and {G2532} the moon {G4582} became {G1096} as {G5613} blood {G129};

Then I watched as he broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake, the sun turned black as sackcloth worn in mourning, and the full moon became blood-red.

And when I saw the Lamb open the sixth seal, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black like sackcloth of goat hair, and the whole moon turned blood red,

And I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the whole moon became as blood;

Context

Revelation 6:12 describes the dramatic opening of the sixth seal by the Lamb (Jesus Christ), following the martyrs' cries under the fifth seal. This event marks a significant escalation in the prophetic timeline, moving beyond the initial judgments and leading directly into the palpable presence of divine wrath. It sets the stage for the terror described in the subsequent verses, as humanity confronts the overwhelming power of God.

Key Themes

  • Cosmic Disturbances as Divine Judgment: The verse vividly portrays a "great earthquake" and extreme changes to the sun and moon. These are not merely natural disasters but supernatural signs indicating God's direct intervention and impending judgment upon the earth. They serve as unmistakable warnings of the approaching "Day of the Lord".
  • Universal and Unmistakable Signs: The signs—darkened sun and blood-red moon—are global in scope, visible to all, signaling a profound shift in the cosmic order. This imagery aligns with Old Testament prophecies of a final reckoning.
  • Prelude to Terror and Awe: The intensity of these phenomena evokes fear and awe, preparing the reader for the reactions of humanity described in Revelation 6:15-17, where people desperately seek to hide from the wrath of God and the Lamb.

Linguistic Insights and Symbolism

The imagery in this verse is rich with prophetic symbolism:

  • "Great earthquake": This often symbolizes major shifts or upheavals, both physically and politically/spiritually. In prophetic literature, it can signify divine presence or judgment, as seen in Zechariah 14:5.
  • "Sun became black as sackcloth of hair": Sackcloth was a coarse, dark fabric, often made of goat's hair, worn as a sign of mourning, repentance, or distress. The sun turning "black as sackcloth" powerfully conveys a sense of deep sorrow, judgment, and the obscuring of light, signifying a period of profound darkness and despair.
  • "Moon became as blood": This vivid image, also found in Old Testament prophecy (Joel 2:31, Acts 2:20), suggests bloodshed, war, and a terrifying change in the natural order. It implies a time of great violence or a supernatural phenomenon that transforms the moon's appearance.

Practical Application

While the imagery is apocalyptic, Revelation 6:12 offers several points of reflection for believers:

  • God's Sovereignty: It reaffirms that God is ultimately in control of all creation, including cosmic events and the unfolding of history. Nothing happens outside of His divine plan.
  • Urgency and Readiness: The dramatic signs serve as a call to spiritual readiness. Believers are encouraged to live in anticipation of Christ's return and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom, not in fear, but in hope and faithful obedience (Luke 21:28).
  • Perspective on Earthly Troubles: The extreme nature of these future events puts present difficulties into perspective. Even the greatest earthly calamities pale in comparison to the cosmic disturbances that will accompany divine judgment, reinforcing the need to fix our hope on eternal realities.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 24:29

    Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

  • Joel 2:10

    The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:

  • Acts 2:19

    And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

  • Acts 2:20

    The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:

  • Mark 13:24

    But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,

  • Mark 13:25

    And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.

  • Joel 3:15

    The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.
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